S.Korean Escapes N.Korea 41 Years After Abduction

A South Korean fisherman who was abducted by North Korea 41 years ago is expected to return to the South soon.

Chun Wook-pyo (68) was among 25 fishermen aboard the trawlers Odaeyang No. 61 and 62 who were abducted by North Korea in 1972 and the only one to succeed in escaping.

Chun Wook-pyo /Courtesy of the Family Assembly Abducted to North Korea

A photograph showing Chun in indoctrination training on Mt. Myohyang along with 35 other South Korean fishermen was revealed in February of 2005 by Choi Sung-yong of the Family Assembly Abducted to North Korea.

Until the photo was published, Chun was not even on the government's list of abduction victims, which only put 24 fishermen aboard the trawlers.

Thirty-six South Korean fishermen abducted to North Korea pose together on Mt. Myohyang in North Korea in 1974. /Courtesy of the Family Assembly Abducted to North Korea

Chun wrote to President Park Geun-hye earlier this month asking for her help, telling her he had escaped at the risk of life because he misses his family and friends at home more and more and wishes to spend his remaining years with them and be buried here.

A diplomatic source said Chun is "in a safe location" and will arrive in South Korea soon.